Trash loading system



Sept. 21, 1965 T. E. 0RD

TRASH LOADING SYSTEM Filed March 12, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. THOMAS E. 0RD

A 1 forney Sept. 21, 1965 T. E. 0RD 3,207,343

TRASH LOADING SYSTEM Filed March 12, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 27 26 27 7| 72 2s 25 2a 7 my 67 29 6 4/3 INVENTOR.

22 THOMAS E. 0RD

A fforney Sept. 21, 1965 T. E. 0RD

TRASH LOADING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 12, 1962 INVE'N TOR. THOMAS E. 0RD

A tforney Sept. 21, 1965 T. E. 0RD 3,207,343

TRASH LOADING SYSTEM Filed March 12, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

THOMAS E. 0RD

04% TTORN E United States Patent 3,207,343 TRASH LOADING SYSTEM Thomas E. 0rd, 1020 Uvalda St., Aurora, Colo. Filed Mar. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 178,834 Claims. (Cl. 214--302) The present invention relates to a refuse loader and packing system and, more particularly, to mechanisms particularly adapted to receive and load trash from presently used types of refuse containers.

Previously, others have designed and built refuse handling systems which include the provision of a closed refuse container which is deposited in a convenient place for the customers usage so that refuse materials may be regularly dumped therein. Such prior systems provide for the periodic removal, dumping and return of the refuse containers. Under the prior systems a truck unit is used to raise the refuse containers to a carrying position, after which the container is hauled on the truck to a dump so that the trash within the container can be dumped out of a bottom opening in the still raised container.

Many refuse containers of this general type have previously been made and sold, and the servicing of such containers is presently the basis of a widespread trash collection industry. Recent operations in connection with this previous trash collection system have indicated,

however, that it is uneconomical to haul a single container and the collected materials therein from a plant site to a permitted dump site. In general, it has been found that dump sites are being moved further away from centers of industry and commerce, and accordingly the dumping of each separate refuse container consumes an inordinate amount of labor and equipment time.

In order to avoid the inefficient use of manpower and equipment, the present invention has been derived to present an alternate method for the servicing of trash collection routes and for the periodic and scheduled dumping of these same refuse containers that have been sold and used in connection with the previous systems.

The basic object of the present invention is to provide a more efiicient trash collection system through the elimination of excessive travel time between dump sites and points of collection.

In satisfaction of such major purpose, it is a further object of this invention to provide a system whereby the collected trash from a plurality of refuse containers may be dumped into a single van type vehicle for later movement to remote dump sites.

Included objects within such general purpose are the provision of mechanisms which may be engaged with refuse containers to raise the containers into position for discharge of the collected materials into the van carrier.

In addition to the provision of hoisting, positioning and dumping mechanisms, it is a further object of this invention to provide a system which may be used without restriction on streets and highways.

This requirement, together with the sizing of refuse containers now in use makes the provision of additional mechanisms advantageous. In connection with these requirements, it is a further object of this invention to provide hoisting, positioning and dumping mechanisms that are of alternate lateral width at times of use and during periods of transport.

A further object of the invention is to provision of van walls of outwardly expendable construction to receive refuse container raised to the dumping position.

The foregoing objects and further elaborations of such objects will become more apparent after reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side elevation in partial section showing a refuse container raised to a support engaging position,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation illustrating the dumping position for such refuse container and further showing in dotted line alternate position an intermediate hoisting position,

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation showing a boom hoisting mechanism and further illustrating alternate positions of such mechanism in dotted outline representation,

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation illustrating alternate movement positions for the van sidewalls,

FIG. Sis a front, elevation showing alternate movement positions for the van sidewalls,

FIG. 6 is a front view in partial section showing the alternate lateral positions for the hoist mechanisms, and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation with a sidewall removed showing an alternate container dumping position.

Briefly stated, the present invention provides, a system and mechanisms whereby the collected trash materials in a plurality of bottom dump type refuse containers may be hoisted and dumped into a single van carrier for efficient transport to dump sites. The mechanism is intended for use with presently available refuse containers. The sizing of such presently used refuse containers requires the incorporation of further mechanisms for the lateral and cooperative expansion of hoist arms, pivots and van sidewalls so that the containers may be raised to position above a top receptor opening in the van carrier to be later lowered into the van carrier to dump the collected trash without interference from the outwardly moved van sidewalls. To accomplish such desirable function, mechanical systems are provided for raising the refuse containers to engage position and for raising the boom and container to the dumping position while at the same time cooperatively extending the boom arms, the van sidewalls and other inter-related elements laterally away from positions of interference.

The overall detailed features of an embodiment of the invention are shown in the accompanying figures. FIG- URES 1 and 2 in general indicate the overall assembly and cooperative working of the elements of the invention. In these figures it will be noted that a van carrier type of body 11 is mounted on a truck frame 12. The van carrier is of near conventional type insofar as it provides a top receptor opening 13 into which refuse materials may be dumped to be moved backwardly into the full enclosure of the van 11 by means of a packer unit (not shown) which can be moved from a forward position against the front end wall 16 toward the opposite end of the van carrier. The structure as here described is similar to that used in various types of top loading refuse or rubbish removal vans now in general use.

The truck 12 further provides. support for boom hoisting apparatus 19, which includes the boom arms 21 disposed on opposite sides of the truck frame 12 for pivoting movement on lower trunnions 22. The boom arms 21 are raised and lowered about the trunnions 22 by extension and retraction of the cable 23, which in the present confiiguration is powered by an expanding hydraulic cylinder and cable system 24, more fully shown in FIGURE 3.

A boom stick extension 26 is mounted on the upper end of the boom arms 21 for rotational movement about an upper split pivot 27. The angular movements of the stick extension 26 with respect to the boom arms 21 is regulated and controlled by the extension and retraction of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 28 which is mounted on a boom support cross member 29 extending laterally from one box support 31 on a first boom arm 21 to the opposite box support 31 on the other boom arm 21.

In the operation of the hoisting and dumping system, the boom arms 21 are lowered to a forwardly extended posi tion, as shown in FIGURE 1. At the same time the stick extension 26 is rotated to the position shown in FIGURE 1 so that the lower end 32 of the stick extension 26 may be brought into engagement with an upwardly extending support 33 on the truck frame. With the boom and stick in this position, a cable 34, which is unwound from the winch 36, is engaged with the dump pins 37 of a refuse container 38. Thereafter, actuation of the winch 36 to tension the cable 34 will raise the refuse container 38 from its at-rest position on the supporting ground upwardly along the frame support 33 and stick extension 26 until a lock bar 39 on the side of the refuse container 38 may be brought into engagement with a dump hook 41 positioned on the stick extension 26.

' When the lock bar 39 is engaged with the dump hook 41, the full weight of the container structure itself will be held and maintained in position on the stick extension and on the boom by such engagement. The tension in the cable 34 will serve to hold the swinging dump bottom 42 of the container in closed position as the entire boom structure is moved to alternate operative positions by actuation of the boom cable system 24.

The relative position of the described elements when the refuse container 38 is being dumped is shown in full view in FIGURE 2. An alternate intermediate position for such elements is likewise shown in this figure. When the boom arms 21 are pulled to a full backward position by the cable 23, the stick extension 26 is simultaneously pivoted about split pivots 27 to the position illustrated. This desirable movement pattern is accomplished through extension of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 28. The described movement of the boom arms 21 and of the stick extension 26 can be accomplished without further actuation of the dump winch 36, since the cable 34 is reeved over pulleys 43 and 44, which rotate about centers common to the lower trunnion 22 and the upper split pivots 27, respectively, before engaging the dump pins 37. When the refuse container 38 has been moved to its dumping position, however, the winch 36 is rotated in reverse direction to extend the length of the cable 34. This extension of the cable 34 allows the dump pins 37 to move downwardly thereby opening the dump bottom 42 about the outer hinge 46 on the refuse container 38. This lowering of the dump bottom 42 necessarily allows all of the collected trash and rubbish to be dumped out of the refuse container 38 and into the forward receptor or packer section of the van carrier 11.

After the refuse has been dumped, the winch 36 will be actuated to close the dump bottom 42. A buffer cylinder 47 acting against the base of boom arms 21 will be extended to move the boom arms past their over-center dumping position, and subsequently the boom structure will be lowered to the position as shown in FIGURE 1 by extension of the cable 23. From the position shown in FIGURE 1 the refuse container may be lowered to its position of usual placement on the ground by the further actuation of winch 36 to disengage dump hook 41 and to lower the refuse container 38 along the stick extension 26 and the frame support 33 to the ground.

The described operation of the hoisting and dumping apparatus represents a material part of the present invention; however, it is found that further refinements are necessary for the satisfaction of the objectives of this invention, as previously set forth. The major complication arises from the fact that it is desirable to adapt the present system to service various types of refuse containers which are already in use. On some present containers in widespread use the outside to outside measurements of the dump pins 37 is approximately 91 inches. The standard overall width limitation for vehicles that are to be used on streets and roadways is 8 feet, or 96 inches. With these combined limitations and with the further limitations in the structural strength of conventionally used materials, it is difficult to provide boom arms which will operate outside van sidewalls which must themselves internally receive a dump pin structure 91 inches in width.

With these limitations, the satisfaction of the desired objectives requires and the present invention provides for the reciprocal and lateral extension of several of the described operative elements during periods when the hoisting and dumping operations are being carried out. The system further provides for the inward retraction of all such elements when the vehicle is to be moved over streets and roadways between collection points or to the major dump sites. The alternate lateral positioning features of this embodiment of the invention are in general shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6. A study of these figures will show that the satisfactory operation of the system requires the provision of boom elements that are outwardly extensible and van sidewalls in the packer-receptor section of the van carrier that are likewise outwardly movable. The features of the boom mounting and lateral extension mechanisms are shown in FIGURE 6, while front and rear elevations of the movable van sidewalls are shown in FIGURES 5 and 4, respectively.

In FIGURE 6 it will be seen that the trunnion shafts 22, which are integrally secured to the boom arms 21, are engaged through truck frame mounted sleeve bearings 48 for reciprocal and rotational movement therein. As previuosly explained, the rotational movement of the arms will be energized by the functions of the cable system 24 and/ or the buffer cylinder 47. The reciprocal in and out movement of the trunnions as necessary to effect the lateral extension of the boom arms is regulated by a rocker arm linkage 49. This linkage includes connecting links 51 and 52 joined to the trunnion shafts 22, a centrally disposed crank arm 53 and a double-acting hydraulic actuating cylinder 54 having a piston 56 engaged with the crank arm 53 to forcibly move the trunnion shafts 22 inwardly and outwardly as required.

In order that both the top and bottom ends of the boom arms 21 may be laterally extended at the same time, a similar arrangement, inclusive of link arms 61 and 62 is provided adjacent the top support cross member 29. Preferably the stroke of the double-acting hydraulic cylinders 54 and 64 and the length of the associated crank arms 53 and 63 are comparable so that the boom arms will be extended equal distances away from the truck supporting frame. As further shown in this figure, the support cross member 29 provides for the telescoping cooperative movement of external support elements 67 and internal slide tubes 68 in order to provide a relatively strong supporting structure whether the elements are in their extended or retracted relations. For the embodiment shown, the members 67 and 68 are of square tubular cross-section in order to resist wrenching forces that might be exerted against the separate boom arms 21 by nonconcentric loading of the boom or refuse containers hoisted thereby.

The upper split pivots 27 are adapted to reciprocate within a hollow tubing structure 71, which is a part of and which supports the boom stick extension 26. With this arrangement hydraulic cylinder 28 can act against the pin 72 mounted on the upper extension of stick 26 to rotate the stick extension 26 about the split pivots 27. Since the total lateral extension of the boom arms required is relatively limited, a strong and serviceable structure is provided by the mechanical elements illustrated and described.

In addition to requiring the outward movement of the boom arms in order to properly engage and clear the refuse containers, it is also necessary to provide displaceable sidewalls in the receptor section of the van carrier. While it is realized that refuse containers could be moved into position high enough above the receptor opening 13 so that the falling dump bottom and the dump pins thereon would not interfere with the van sidewalls, such arrangement could not prevent the spillage of trash materials outside of the receptor opening and van. Proper and eflicient dumping of the refuse containers will require the container to be moved into a protected position above and within the confines of the van walls. Where the downwardly pivoted dumping movement of the bottom dump door 42 results in the arcuate movement of the dump pins 37 themselves, some provision must be made for the displacement of the van sidewalls.

In the present embodiment of the invention this desirable result is obtained through the provision of outwardly movable sidewalls in the receptor section of the van carrier. The movable sidewalls 81 and 82 are hinged to the bottom walls 83 and 84' of the van carrier 11 by hinge members 85 and 86. Normally the walls 81 and 82 will be carried in position vertically above the bottom walls 83 and 84; however, when it is desired to move a refuse container 38 into the dumping position, as shown in FIG- URE 2, front and rear hydraulic cylinders 93 and 94 may be actuated to extend the push rods 91 as necessary to pivotally move the sidewalls 81 and 82 out of positions of interference with the bottom dump door 42 and/or dump pins 37. The cylinders 93 and 94 will each be positioned outside of the interior of the receptor section to avoid contamination with trash materials.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that the present embodiment of the invention provides a system whereby present refuse containers with only slight modifications may be more efiiciently serviced by units coming within present governmental size and weight limitations. Actually the mechanisms shown and illustrated make it possible to collect the trash from many refuse containers into a single van carrier before it is necessary to take the accumulated trash materials to a dump site. Inasmuch as present operators already have a considerable investment in previously purchased refuse containers, the present system and mechanism makes the further utilization of such equipment efficient and economically advantageous.

A study of the foregoing description and of the invention embodied in such disclosure will indicate that the invention is adaptable to various modifications and changes. All such modifications as come within the scope of the hereunto appended claims are considered to be a part of this invention.

One such modification and change which can be of considerable importance when the van carrier is to be used in municipal areas is the provision of a closure top 30 for the receptor opening of the carrier. With the provision of such a mechanism the materials received in the van may be prevented from blowing out of such van when the top 30 is closed. The position of the top 30 is governed by the positioning of the hoist arms 21. As the hoist arms 21 are raised, they come into position of interference with extensions 35 on the free end of the top 30. Further upward and rearward movement of the hoist arms causes the top to be pivoted about its rear pivot hinge to an out of the way position, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. After the refuse materials have been discharged into the van carrier, the top may thereafter be moved to its normally closed position.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for handling refuse containers and for receiving and dumping materials collected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on said frame providing an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction of said refuse containers and materials, lower pivot mounts on said support, hoist arms on said pivot mounts adapted for pivoting and reciprocal movement with respect to said mounts, means for connecting refuse containers to said hoist arms, means for forcibly rotating said hoist arms with respect to said pivot mounts to raise and lower said arms and the refuse containers supported thereby, means for moving said hoist arms reciprocally along said pivot mounts to provide necessary and otherwise inadequate clearance between said hoist arms and the sidewalls of said van carrier, and means for dumping said containers.

2. Apparatus for handling bottom opening refuse containers and for receiving and dumping materials collected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on said frame having front, back and side walls to provide an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction of said refuse containers and materials, lower pivot mounts on said support, hoist arms on said pivot mounts adapted for pivoting and reciprocal movement with respect to said mounts, means for connecting refuse containers to said hoist arms, means for forcibly rotating said hoist arms about said pivot mounts to raise and lower said arms and the refuse containers supported thereby, means for moving said hoist arms reciprocally along said pivot mounts to provide necessary and otherwise inadequate clearance between said hoist arms and the side walls of said van carrier, and means for dumping said containers.

3. Apparatus for handling refuse containers and for receiving and dumping materials collected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on said frame, a bottom, a top, front and back walls on said van carrier, a laterally movable side wall cooperatively arranged with said bottom, top, front and back to provide an enclosure adapted to receive said containers and refuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptor opening for the introduction of said materials, lower pivot mounts on said support, hoist arms on said pivot mounts adapted for pivoting and reciprocal movement with respect to said mounts, means for connecting refuse containers to said hoist arms, means for forcibly rotating said hoist arms about said pivot mounts to raise and lower said arms and the refuse containers supported thereby, means for moving said hoist arms reciprocally along said pivot mounts to provide clearance for rotational movement of said hoist arms past the side walls of said van carrier, and means for dumping said containers.

4. Apparatus for handling refuse containers and for receiving and dumping materials collected therein com prising a frame support, a van carrier on said frame, a bottom, a top, front and back walls on said van carrier, pivotally movable side walls cooperatively arranged with said bottom, top, front and back to provide an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptor opening adjacent said pivotally movable side walls for the introduction of said materials, lower pivot mounts on said support, hoist arms on said pivot mounts adapted for pivoting and reciprocal movement with respect to said mounts, means for connecting refuse containers to said hoist arms, means for forcibly rotating said hoist arms about said pivot mounts to raise and lower said arms and the refuse containers supported thereby, means for moving said hoist arms reciprocally along said pivot mounts to provide clearance for rotational movement of said hoist arms past the side walls of said van carrier when in their outwardly pivoted position, and means for dumping said containers.

5. Apparatus for handling refuse containers and for receiving and dumping materials collected therein comprising a frame support, a van carrier on said frame, a bottom, a top, front and back walls on said van carrier, a pivotally movable side wall cooperatively arranged with said bottom, top, front and back to provide an enclosure adapted to receive refuse materials, said van carrier further providing a receptor opening adjacent said pivotally movable side wall for the introduction of said materials, lower pivot mounts on said support, hoist arms on said pivot mounts adapted for pivoting movement with respect to said mounts, means for connecting refuse containers to said hoist arms, means for reciprocally moving one of said hoist arms with respect to its pivot mount, means for forcibly rotating said hoist arms about said pivot mounts to raise and lower said arms and the refuse containers supported thereby, and means for dumping said containers said pivotally movable side wall providing clearance for elements of said refuse container when the refuse con- 7 8 tainer is positioned at the receptor opening, and said 2,555,336 6/51 Hagely. means for the reciprocal movement of one hoist arm be- 2,561,896 7/51 Weiss 214-731 X ing useful to provide clearance between said hoist arm 3,137,930 6/64 Smith 214308 X and the movable side wall of said van earner when the FOREIGN PATENTS side wall is in its outwardly pivoted position. 5

1,073,956 1/ 60 Germany. References Cited by the Examiner 825,734 12/59 Great Britain.

UNITED STATES PATENTS HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 1,353,351 9/20 Kuhnen 29613 2 70 32 39 Venema 7 X 10 GERALD M- FORLENZA: Exammer- 

1. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING REFUSE CONTAINERS AND FOR RECEIVING AND DUMPING MATERIALS COLLECTED THEREIN COMPRISING A FRAME SUPPORT, A VAN CARRIER ON SAID FRAME PROVIDING AN ENCLOSURE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE REFUSE MATERIALS, SAID VAN CARRIER FURTHER PROVIDING A RECEPTOR OPENING FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SAID REFUSE CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS, LOWER PIVOT MOUNTS ON SAID SUPPORT, HOIST ARMS ON SAID PIVOT MOUNTS ADAPTED FOR PIVOTING AND RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID MOUNTS, MEANS FOR CONNECTING REFUSE CONTAINER TO SAID HOIST ARMS, MEANS FOR FORCIBLY ROTATING SAID HOIST ARMS WITH RESPECT TO SAID PIVOT MOUNTS TO RAISE AND LOWER SAID ARMS AND THE REFUSE CONTAINERS SUPPORTED THEREBY, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID HOIST ARMS RECIPROCALLY ALONG SAID PIVOT MOUNTS TO PROVIDE NECESSARY AND OTHERWISE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN SAID HOIST ARMS AND THE SIDEWALLS OF SAID VAN CARRIER, AND MEANS FOR DUMPING SAID CONTAINERS. 